Reproducibility of radiomics quality score: an intra- and inter-rater reliability study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the total radiomics quality score (RQS) and the reproducibility of individual RQS items' score in a large multireader study.

METHODS

Nine raters with different backgrounds were randomly assigned to three groups based on their proficiency with RQS utilization: Groups 1 and 2 represented the inter-rater reliability groups with or without prior training in RQS, respectively; group 3 represented the intra-rater reliability group. Thirty-three original research papers on radiomics were evaluated by raters of groups 1 and 2. Of the 33 papers, 17 were evaluated twice with an interval of 1 month by raters of group 3. Intraclass coefficient (ICC) for continuous variables, and Fleiss' and Cohen's kappa (k) statistics for categorical variables were used.

RESULTS

The inter-rater reliability was poor to moderate for total RQS (ICC 0.30-055, p < 0.001) and very low to good for item's reproducibility (k - 0.12 to 0.75) within groups 1 and 2 for both inexperienced and experienced raters. The intra-rater reliability for total RQS was moderate for the less experienced rater (ICC 0.522, p = 0.009), whereas experienced raters showed excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC 0.91-0.99, p < 0.001) between the first and second read. Intra-rater reliability on RQS items' score reproducibility was higher and most of the items had moderate to good intra-rater reliability (k - 0.40 to 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Reproducibility of the total RQS and the score of individual RQS items is low. There is a need for a robust and reproducible assessment method to assess the quality of radiomics research.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

There is a need for reproducible scoring systems to improve quality of radiomics research and consecutively close the translational gap between research and clinical implementation.

KEY POINTS

• Radiomics quality score has been widely used for the evaluation of radiomics studies. • Although the intra-rater reliability was moderate to excellent, intra- and inter-rater reliability of total score and point-by-point scores were low with radiomics quality score. • A robust, easy-to-use scoring system is needed for the evaluation of radiomics research.

METhodological RadiomICs Score (METRICS): a quality scoring tool for radiomics research endorsed by EuSoMII

PURPOSE

To propose a new quality scoring tool, METhodological RadiomICs Score (METRICS), to assess and improve research quality of radiomics studies.

METHODS

We conducted an online modified Delphi study with a group of international experts. It was performed in three consecutive stages: Stage#1, item preparation; Stage#2, panel discussion among EuSoMII Auditing Group members to identify the items to be voted; and Stage#3, four rounds of the modified Delphi exercise by panelists to determine the items eligible for the METRICS and their weights. The consensus threshold was 75%. Based on the median ranks derived from expert panel opinion and their rank-sum based conversion to importance scores, the category and item weights were calculated.

RESULT

In total, 59 panelists from 19 countries participated in selection and ranking of the items and categories. Final METRICS tool included 30 items within 9 categories. According to their weights, the categories were in descending order of importance: study design, imaging data, image processing and feature extraction, metrics and comparison, testing, feature processing, preparation for modeling, segmentation, and open science. A web application and a repository were developed to streamline the calculation of the METRICS score and to collect feedback from the radiomics community.

CONCLUSION

In this work, we developed a scoring tool for assessing the methodological quality of the radiomics research, with a large international panel and a modified Delphi protocol. With its conditional format to cover methodological variations, it provides a well-constructed framework for the key methodological concepts to assess the quality of radiomic research papers.

CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

A quality assessment tool, METhodological RadiomICs Score (METRICS), is made available by a large group of international domain experts, with transparent methodology, aiming at evaluating and improving research quality in radiomics and machine learning.

KEY POINTS

• A methodological scoring tool, METRICS, was developed for assessing the quality of radiomics research, with a large international expert panel and a modified Delphi protocol. • The proposed scoring tool presents expert opinion-based importance weights of categories and items with a transparent methodology for the first time. • METRICS accounts for varying use cases, from handcrafted radiomics to entirely deep learning-based pipelines. • A web application has been developed to help with the calculation of the METRICS score ( https://metricsscore.github.io/metrics/METRICS.html ) and a repository created to collect feedback from the radiomics community ( https://github.com/metricsscore/metrics ).

Influence of posterior tibial slope on postoperative outcomes after postero-stabilized and condylar-stabilized total knee arthroplasty

PURPOSE

To compare clinical outcomes and surgical times of two different types of total knee arthroplasty(TKA), postero-stabilized(PS) and condylar-stabilized(CS), in relation to posterior tibial slope(PTS) values and the deviation of these values from the surgical technique.

METHODS

168 patients undergoing TKA surgery between 2016 and 2020 met our inclusion criteria. For each case, gender, age at surgery, operating time, type of implant and preoperative PTS(preop-PTS) and postoperative PTS(postop-PTS) measurements were collected; difference(∆PTS) between preop-PTS and postop-PTS was also calculated. Short Form 12 Mental and Physical scores(SF-12 M and P) and functional Knee Society Score(fKSS) were collected preoperatively and at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively. Four subgroups were thus created in relation to PS or CS system and postop-PTS value(≤ 5°and > 5°).

RESULTS

Of the 168 patients, 96 had a PS system and 72 CS system. Performing a CS-TKA took less time than a PS-TKA(p < 0.05). SF-12P showed better results(p < 0.05) in CS-TKA group than PS-TKA, probably because of the younger age of CS-TKA patients(p < 0.05). In the PS > 5° all examined postoperative scores were better(p < 0.05) than PS ≤ 5°, while only fKSS was better(p < 0.05) in CS > 5° than CS ≤ 5°. No significant difference(p > 0.05) in terms of postoperative outcomes between the PS > 5° and CS > 5° was noted, whereas only SF-12P was better in the CS ≤ 5° compared with PS ≤ 5°. Highest values of SF-12 M and fKSS were obtained in the PS ≤ 5°, in which postop-PTS was closer to technique.

CONCLUSION

When performing a PS-TKA, the best result was obtained with a postop-PTS > 5°, but comparable outcomes between the two systems were evident with postop-PTS > 5°. It is crucial to come as close as possible to the indications reported in surgical technique regardless ∆PTS.

Can machine learning of post-procedural cone-beam CT images in acute ischemic stroke improve the detection of 24-h hemorrhagic transformation? A preliminary study

PURPOSE

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Its early identification could help tailor AIS management. We hypothesize that machine learning (ML) applied to cone-beam computed tomography (CB-CT), immediately after EVT, improves performance in 24-h HT prediction.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled AIS patients undergoing EVT, post-procedural CB-CT, and 24-h non-contrast CT (NCCT). Three raters independently analyzed imaging at four anatomic levels qualitatively and quantitatively selecting a region of interest (ROI) < 5 mm². Each ROI was labeled as "hemorrhagic" or "non-hemorrhagic" depending on 24-h NCCT. For each level of CB-CT, Mean Hounsfield Unit (HU), minimum HU, maximum HU, and signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated, and the differential HU-ROI value was compared between both hemispheres. The number of anatomic levels affected was computed for lesion volume estimation. ML with the best validation performance for 24-h HT prediction was selected.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-two ROIs from affected hemispheres of 43 patients were extracted. Ninety-two ROIs were classified as unremarkable, whereas 5 as parenchymal contrast staining, 29 as ischemia, 7 as subarachnoid hemorrhages, and 39 as HT. The Bernoulli Naïve Bayes was the best ML classifier with a good performance for 24-h HT prediction (sensitivity = 1.00; specificity = 0.75; accuracy = 0.82), though precision was 0.60.

CONCLUSION

ML demonstrates high-sensitivity but low-accuracy 24-h HT prediction in AIS. The automated CB-CT imaging evaluation resizes sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of visual interpretation reported in the literature so far. A standardized quantitative interpretation of CB-CT may be warranted to overcome the inter-operator variability.

Cardiac Computed Tomography Evaluation of Association of Left Ventricle Disfunction and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Density in Patients with Low to Intermediate Cardiovascular Risk

Background and objectives: Epicardial adipose tissue density (EAD) has been associated with coronary arteries calcium score, a higher load of coronary artery disease (CAD) and plaque vulnerability. This effect can be related to endocrine and paracrine effect of molecules produced by epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), that may influence myocardial contractility. Using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCT) the evaluation of EAD is possible in basal scans. The aim of the study is to investigate possible associations between EAD and cardiac function. Material and Methods: 93 consecutive patients undergoing CCT without and with contrast medium for known or suspected coronary CAD were evaluated. EAD was measured on basal scans, at the level of the coronary ostia, the lateral free wall of the left ventricle, at the level of the cardiac apex, and at the origin of the posterior interventricular artery. Cardiac function was evaluated in post-contrast CT scans in order to calculate ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and stroke volume (SV). Results: A statistically significant positive correlation between EAD and ejection fraction (r = 0.29, p-value < 0.01) was found. Additionally, a statistically significant negative correlation between EAD and ESV (r = -0.25, p-value < 0.01) was present. Conclusion: EAD could be considered a new risk factor associated with reduced cardiac function. The evaluation of this parameter with cardiac CT in patients with low to intermediate cardiovascular risk is possible.

Radiomics analysis of short tau inversion recovery images in cardiac magnetic resonance for the prediction of late gadolinium enhancement in patients with acute myocarditis

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) imaging is recommended as the reference diagnostic non-invasive modality for myocarditis but is often limited by patients' compliance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of Radiomics applied to Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) sequences, in predicting the presence of LGE in patients with suspected acute myocarditis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

171 STIR images on short-axis view were segmented with "MaZda" software ver 4.6, by placing a region of interest (ROI) on the left ventricle by two radiologists in consensus. Images were classified according to the presence of LGE in the equivalent short-axis T1-IR slice. A total of 337 ROI features were extracted for each image. Dataset was then split into two parts (train and test set) with 70:30 ratio.

RESULTS

Eleven classification models were trained. An Ensemble Machine Learning (EML) model was obtained by averaging the predictions of models with accuracy on test set >70%. The EML documented accuracy of 0.75, sensitivity of 0.8 and a specificity of 0.73 with a NPV of 0.81 and a PPV of 0.7, with AUC of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66-0.92).

CONCLUSION

Radiomics and machine learning analysis could be a promising approach in reducing scan times without reducing diagnostic accuracy in predicting LGE in patients with acute myocarditis.

Cardiac Computed Tomography Radiomics-Based Approach for the Detection of Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients with Arterial Hypertension

The aim of the study is to verify the feasibility of a radiomics based approach for the detection of LV remodeling in patients with arterial hypertension. Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) and clinical data of patients with and without history of arterial hypertension were collected. In one image per patient, on a 4-chamber view, left ventricle (LV) was segmented using a polygonal region of interest by two radiologists in consensus. A total of 377 radiomics features per region of interest were extracted. After dataset splitting (70:30 ratio), eleven classification models were tested for the discrimination of patients with and without arterial hypertension based on radiomics data. An Ensemble Machine Learning (EML) score was calculated from models with an accuracy >60%. Boruta algorithm was used to extract radiomic features discriminating between patients with and without history of hypertension. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation between EML score and septum width in patients included in the test set. EML showed an accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 0.7. Correlation between EML score and LV septum width was 0.53 (p-value < 0.0001). We considered LV septum width as a surrogate of myocardial remodeling in our population, and this is the reason why we can consider the EML score as a possible tool to evaluate myocardial remodeling. A CCT-based radiomic approach for the identification of LV remodeling is possible in patients with past medical history of arterial hypertension.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiovascular Testing in Asia

Background

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected management of cardiovascular disease around the world. The effect of the pandemic on volume of cardiovascular diagnostic procedures is not known.

Objectives

This study sought to evaluate the effects of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular diagnostic procedures and safety practices in Asia.

Methods

The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey to assess changes in cardiovascular procedure volume and safety practices caused by COVID-19. Testing volumes were reported for March 2020 and April 2020 and were compared to those from March 2019. Data from 180 centers across 33 Asian countries were grouped into 4 subregions for comparison.

Results

Procedure volumes decreased by 47% from March 2019 to March 2020, showing recovery from March 2020 to April 2020 in Eastern Asia, particularly in China. The majority of centers cancelled outpatient activities and increased time per study. Practice changes included implementing physical distancing and restricting visitors. Although COVID testing was not commonly performed, it was conducted in one-third of facilities in Eastern Asia. The most severe reductions in procedure volumes were observed in lower-income countries, where volumes decreased 81% from March 2019 to April 2020.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic in Asia caused significant reductions in cardiovascular diagnostic procedures, particularly in low-income countries. Further studies on effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular outcomes and changes in care delivery are warranted.

Anatomic features in SCAD assessed by CCT: A propensity score matching case control study

PURPOSE

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) may occur in middle age population without any cardiovascular risk factor. We retrospectively evaluated anatomic features of 11 patients with SCAD using a coronary arteries computed tomography (CCT), compared to age and sex balanced patients who underwent CCT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CCT was performed in 11 patients (7 females and 4 males) as follow-up in patients with SCAD (left anterior descending - LAD or circumflex artery - Cx) and compared, using the propensity score matching analysis, with 11 healthy patients. Several anatomic features were evaluated: Left main (LM) length, angle between descending coronary artery (LAD) and its first branch, angle between LAD and LM, distance from the annulus to RCA (a-RCA distance) and LM (a-LM distance) ostia and their ratio; ratio between LM length and length a-LM and tortuosity score of the vessel with SCAD. A fluid dynamic analysis has been performed to evaluate the effects on shear stress of vessels wall.

RESULTS

LM length was significantly shorter in patients with SCAD versus healthy subjects (P=0.01) as well as LM length/a-LM (P=0.03) and the angle between LAD and the first adjacent branch was sharper (P<0.01). Tortuosity score showed a statistically significant difference between groups (P<0.001). Fluid dynamic analysis demonstrates that, in SCAD group, an angle<90 degree is present at the first bifurcation and it can be a cause of increased strain on vessel wall in patients with high tortuosity of coronary artery.

CONCLUSION

Tortuosity and angle between the LAD and the adjacent arterial branch combined may determine increased shear stress on the vessel wall that increases the risk of SCAD.

Radiological pitfalls associated with the diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on high-resolution computed tomography and associated findings: experience from a single Italian center

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic algorithm for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings and multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) has been well established.

PURPOSE

To identify the causes of disagreement between non-thoracic and thoracic radiologist involved in MDD for the imaging diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) patterns and associated findings on HRCT and to improve the understanding of IPF by non-expert radiologists through a more systematic approach to HRCT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included 68 patients who underwent MDD for suspected IPF. We compared the first reports generated before MDD by non-expert radiologists with the CT pattern and associated findings of IPF reported by thoracic radiologist involved in MDD.

RESULTS

Regarding the diagnosis of CT pattern by non-expert radiologists, 30/68 patients received a discordant diagnosis, and in another 28 reports, all features of the CT pattern were described without reaching a diagnostic conclusion. The first report was concordant in only 10 patients. For 63 cases in which associated findings were reported by expert radiologists in MDD, we documented discrepancies in 47 cases where associated findings were considered absent by the first non-thoracic radiologist.

CONCLUSION

We found significant discrepancies in the imaging diagnosis of UIP patterns and associated findings on HRCT between non-expert and thoracic radiologists included in MDD. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed and suggested diagnostic strategies to improve non-expert radiologists' approach to HRCT.

Effects on pain of percutaneous treatment of cervical disc herniations using DiscoGel: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cervical discogenic pain originates from degenerated intervertebral discs and is a common condition in the middle-aged population. Cervical discs may herniate and give compressions to cervical nerves, with pain and functional limitation of the arms. DiscoGel is a device that can be useful in the treatment of cervical disc herniation, with very short operating time and low radiation dose.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between March 2018 and April 2019 we performed this procedure on 38 patients with non-fissurated cervical herniation using 0.3-0.4 mL of DiscoGel injected under fluoroscopic guidance. The most common discs affected were C5-C6, C6-C7 and C4-C5. Outcomes were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) scores at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the cervical spine was performed 3 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

Postoperative examinations showed: VAS 2.15 ± 1.34 and NPSI 2.29 ± 0.71.Postoperative MRI performed 3 months after the procedure showed a good improvement of cervical disc herniation or bulging or protrusion. The mean dose area product (DAP) was 2803 mGy/cm² with a mean fluoroscopy time of 4 minutes 22 seconds.Conclusion DiscoGel is a suitable approach for non-fissurated cervical disc herniations, especially in patients that are not suitable for open surgery, with excellent postoperative results, fast recovery and a low radiation dose.

The Aftermath of COVID-19 Lockdown on Daily Life Activities in Orthopaedic Patients

PURPOSE

Following the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many reports have investigated the psychosocial effects of the lockdown. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of the lockdown on the daily life habits of orthopaedic patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Around 30 days after the start of the Italian lockdown, from April 17th to the end of the containment measures on May 18th, the Sapienza University of Rome carried out a 19-item survey on the effects the lockdown caused in patients suffering from an orthopaedic pathology (with regard to changes in lifestyle, pain, treatment) by stratifying the sample by age, sex, profession, pain location, pathogenesis and prior surgeries.

RESULTS

A total of 292 subjects with orthopaedic pathologies took part in the survey. Taking into consideration the totality of the sample, physical activity was significantly reduced (p <0.001). The increase of a sedentary lifestyle was statistically significant (p <0.001), as well as an increase in pain (p <0.001) and the need to adjust the pharmacological treatment (p <0.001). The increase in pain was particularly significant in the 50-70 age group, among workers, and in polyarthralgic patients. About 55.48% stated that the lockdown period worsened their underlying pathological condition and 53.77% expressed the need to undergo a new clinical evaluation at the end of the lockdown.

CONCLUSION

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and resulting sudden changes in lifestyle led to a change in patient perception of orthopedic pathology including a worsening of musculoskeletal pain requiring an adjustment or change in pharmacological and physical therapy.

Texture Analysis in the Evaluation of Covid-19 Pneumonia in Chest X-Ray Images: a Proof of Concept Study

BACKGROUND

One of the most challenging aspects related to Covid-19 is to establish the presence of infection in early phase of the disease. Texture analysis might be an additional tool for the evaluation of Chest X-ray in patients with clinical suspicion of Covid-19 related pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of texture analysis and machine learning models for the diagnosis of Covid-19 interstitial pneumonia in Chest X-ray images.

METHODS

Chest X-ray images were accessed from a publicly available repository (https://www.kaggle.com/tawsifurrahman/covid19-radiography-database). Lung areas were manually segmented using a polygonal regions of interest covering both lung areas, using MaZda, a freely available software for texture analysis. A total of 308 features per ROI was extracted. One hundred-ten Covid-19 Chest X-ray images were selected for the final analysis.

RESULTS

Six models, namely NB, GLM, DL, GBT, ANN and PLS-DA were selected and ensembled. According to Youden's index, the Covid-19 Ensemble Machine Learning Score showing the highest Area Under the Curve (0.971±0.015) was 132.57. Assuming this cut-off the Ensemble model performance was estimated evaluating both true and false positive/negative, resulting in 91.8% accuracy with 93% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Moving the cut-off value to -100, although the accuracy resulted lower (90.6%), the Ensemble Machine Learning showed 100% sensitivity, with 80% specificity.

CONCLUSION

Texture analysis of Chest X-ray images and machine learning algorithms may help in differentiating patients with Covid-19 pneumonia. Despite several limitations, this study can lay ground for future researches in this field and help developing more rapid and accurate screening tools for these patients.

Role of computed tomography in transcatheter aortic valve implantation and valve-in-valve implantation: complete review of preprocedural and postprocedural imaging

: Since 2002, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionized the treatment and prognosis of patients with aortic stenosis. A preprocedural assessment of the patient is vital for achieving optimal outcomes from the procedure. Retrospective ECG-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) today it is the gold-standard imaging technique that provides three-dimensional images of the heart, thus allowing a rapid and complete evaluation of the morphology of the valve, ascending aorta, coronary arteries, peripheral access vessels, and prognostic factors, and also provides preprocedural coplanar fluoroscopic angle prediction to obtain complete assessment of the patient. The most relevant dimension in preprocedural planning of TAVI is the aortic annulus, which can determine the choice of prosthesis size. CT is also essential to identify patients with increased anatomical risk for coronary artery occlusion in Valve in Valve (ViV) procedures.Moreover, CT is very useful in the evaluation of late complications, such as leakage, thrombosis and displacements. At present, CT is the cornerstone imaging modality for the extensive and thorough work-up required for planning and performing each TAVI procedure, to achieve optimal outcomes. Both the CT procedure and analysis should be performed by trained and experienced personnel, with a radiological background and a deep understanding of the TAVI procedure, in close collaboration with the implantation team. An accurate pre-TAVI CT and post-processing for the evaluation of all the points recommended in this review allow a complete planning for the choice of the valve dimensions and type (balloon or self-expandable) and of the best percutaneous access.

Trans-septal course of anomalous left main coronary artery originating from single right coronary ostium presenting with atrial fibrillation in a severely obese patient: a case report

Background

To present a case of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery evaluated with invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and ECG-gated coronary computed tomography (CCT).

Case presentation

A patient (55 years old, male) with a past medical history of respiratory failure and atrial fibrillation underwent ICA to rule out coronary artery disease. Subsequently, the patient underwent ECG-gated CCT to evaluate a suspected anomalous aortic origin of the left coronary artery, since the interventional cardiologist was not able to properly identify the left coronary artery and its distal branches. CCT showed left coronary artery originating from the right coronary Valsalva sinus, coursing within the interventricular septum and emerging at the middle segment of the interventricular sulcus, where the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries originated.

Conclusion

The case we presented highlights the value of ECG-gated CCT in the evaluation of coronary anomaly anatomy and thus risk stratification derived by proper coronary anatomy assessment. Although ICA was not helpful in the diagnosis, it also has a pivotal role regarding the therapeutic management of this condition.

PI-RADS score v.2 in predicting malignancy in patients undergoing 5α-reductase inhibitor therapy

BACKGROUND

To investigate if the PI-RADS score represents an effective tool in detecting prostate cancer in patients treated with a 5α-reductase inhibitor (dutasteride) and to identify dedicated total serum PSA and PSA density thresholds.

METHODS

Between April 2015 and March 2018, 75 patients under dutasteride treatment underwent multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) scans and US/MRI fusion prostate biopsy. Lesions were classified into two groups: Group 1 included PI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions, whilst Group 2 included PI-RADS 3-4-5 lesions. Lesions in groups 1 and 2 were further divided according to the patients' history of previous prostate biopsy.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven lesions were detected. In PI-RADS 4-5 group, mpMRI showed a sensitivity of 78.0% and a specificity of 78.7%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 79.6% and the negative predictive value (NPV) 77.1%. In PI-RADS 3-4-5 group, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 21.3%, PPV 57.5%, NPV 100%. In PI-RADS 4-5 biopsy-naive group sensitivity was 71.4%, specificity 75.0%. PPV 78.9% and NPV 66.7%. In PI-RADS 4-5 non-biopsy-naive group sensitivity was 82.8%, specificity 80.6%, PPV 80%, and NPV 83.3%. PI-RADS 3-4-5 biopsy-naive group showed sensitivity 100%, specificity 31.3%, PPV 65.6%, NPV 100%. PI-RADS 3-4-5 non-biopsy-naive group showed sensitivity 100%, specificity 16.1%, PPV 52.7%, and NPV 100%. ROC curve analysis indicated a serum total PSA threshold of 6 ng/ml (AUC: 0.71-95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.81) and a PSA density >0.22 (AUC: 0.70-95% confidence interval: 0.6-0.81) as optimal cut-offs for recommending prostate biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience the PI-RADS score proved to be sufficiently accurate in predicting prostate cancer in patients under dutasteride therapy.

Is postoperative hyponatremia a real threat for total hip and knee arthroplasty surgery?

Postoperative hyponatremia (POH) is thought to be a fearsome complication of orthopedic surgery. Primary aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the incidence of POH and its clinical relevance in elective surgery, outlining differences between total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty, looking for the presence of any risk factor commonly related to POH.Four hundred two patients that underwent total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty performed between 2016 and 2017 were retrospectively examined. Serum electrolytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, and creatinine were evaluated preoperatively and at day 0-I-II from surgery. Age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, drugs, surgery data, transfusions, postoperative symptoms, and length of stay (LOS) were determined. All surgeries were performed by the same equipe. Patients had the same perioperative management, excluded those that took thiazides, already at risk of POH.Patients were divided in 2 groups: group A, patients with normal postoperative natremia (294 patients) and group B, patients who developed POH (108, 26.9%); 66.7% of these developed POH within 24 hours postoperatively. In group B mean postoperative natremia was 133.38 (127.78-134.85) mmol/L. Two patients (1.8%) developed moderate hyponatremia, no severe hyponatremia was documented. Type of surgery, operation time, LOS, and presence of postoperative symptoms did not show statistically significant differences within groups. At multivariate logistic analysis chronic use of thiazides was the only variable associated to a decreased risk of developing POH (OR = 0.39; P = .03). Hemoglobin postoperative values (OR = 1.22; P = .03), the need of postoperative transfusion (OR = 2.50; P = .02) and diabetes (OR = 2.70; P = .01) were associated to an increased risk of POH.Although 26.9% of our patients exhibited POH, the onset of this disorder had no implication on postoperative symptoms and on LOS. Diabetes and transfusion are factors most often associated to POH.

Highlights of high-resolution computed tomography imaging in evaluation of complications and co-morbidities in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) represents a condition included in the heterogeneous group of interstitial lung diseases without known causes. The recent ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT guidelines and the white paper published by the Fleischner Society have well-defined diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis management is complex because it is also influenced by several co-morbidities and complications. The new frontier in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is represented by the effort to understand the complex mechanism of the pathogenesis and progression of disease in order to predict several consequences and co-morbidities. In our review, we tried to distinguish co-morbidities from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In each complication, we have reviewed the existing literature and we have emphasized the complex pathobiological pathway which links the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to the development of the complication itself. For every co-morbidity, we tried to identify share common risk factors which explain the coexistence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with its co-morbidities. We then analyzed high-resolution computed tomography (CT) aspects of co-morbidities and complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that the radiologist should be aware of. In this review, we focused on the role of high-resolution CT imaging in the evaluation of co-morbidities and complications in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis because their early diagnosis and treatment could change the prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We have also pointed out that in some cases the final combined quantitative CT tools and conventional visual CT score would allow to get an accurate analysis and quantification of disease progression, co-morbidities, and complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in order to improve staging systems in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Cryotherapy of acetabular osteoid osteoma under fluoroscopic guidance using the XperGuide System

Osteoid osteoma represents 10%-12% of all benign bone tumors, and is composed by osteoid tissue and reticular and immature bone tissue. Acetabular involvement is very rare (≤1%). In this case report, we describe the treatment of an osteoid osteoma of the acetabulum of a young man using cryotherapy under fluoroscopic guide with the new XperGuide system which is used to reduce X-ray radiation dose and to have a more accurate localization of the lesion compared to computed tomography-guided or surgical ablation.

The role of computed tomography in the planning of transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a retrospective analysis in 200 procedures

AIM

The aim of our study is to show the importance of multislice computed tomography (CT) assessment in the overall management and diagnostic framework of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) procedure candidates.

METHODS

Between June 2015 and April 2017, 200 patients with severe aortic stenosis, not eligible for surgery, were enrolled, as defined by EuroSCORE; they were submitted to TAVI at the interventional cardiology department of the Tor Vergata Polyclinic. CT studies were performed using a 64-slice scanner.

RESULTS

The reports and datasets produced during the pre-TAVI CT evaluation were retrospectively evaluated.

DISCUSSION

In TAVI candidates, accurate aortic valve shape and dimensions evaluation is crucial for the proper deployment of the prosthetic valve and in order to reduce postprocedural complications. ECG retrospective gated cardiac CT gives the clinician three-dimensional images of the heart, with high spatial resolution and multiplanar reconstructions allowing accurate visualization of the aortic annulus and coronary ostia to be obtained, and the evaluation of arterial calcifications. Furthermore, CT can provide data on the suitability of peripheral vascular accesses. Moreover, this technique can point out the presence of clinically relevant extracardiac findings. Therefore, CT evaluation assures a safe, reliable and prognostically relevant method for TAVI preprocedural planning.

CONCLUSION

Our study remarks the importance of CT assessment in the overall management and diagnostic framework of TAVI candidates; the information provided is essential in order to minimize possible complications and to improve the quality of the therapeutic planning.

Anomalous development of the inferior vena cava: Case reports of agenesis and hypoplasia

We reported the cases of two adult male patients who were admitted to our emergency room with abdominal pain and dyspnea caused by gallstones and pulmonary embolism respectively. During the radiological investigations, as collateral findings, we found two anomalous development of the inferior vena cava. These conditions affect about 4% of population and, although asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, are associated with thrombotic manifestations as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The prompt recognition of these anomalies is necessary in order to prevent the complications associated with these conditions and to set the best therapy for patients.

Chronic expanding hematoma of the left flank mimicking a soft-tissue neoplasm

Soft-tissue hematomas are a common clinical entity often associated with trauma, surgery, and bleeding disorders. In the majority of cases, soft-tissue hematomas acutely appear and spontaneously resolve, but sometimes, they present as swellings that slowly expand and progressively increase with time.

We present a case of a 70-year-old man with chronic expanding hematoma of the left flank without any history of recent trauma or other medical disease.

The diagnosis could not be confirmed on imaging features alone, so the patient was taken to surgery for open biopsy and excision.

In patients with slowly growing extremity masses without recent trauma or chronic medical disorders, the differential diagnosis becomes challenging, and chronic expanding hematoma should be considered in addition to soft-tissue sarcomas and other malignancies.